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Exhibition Echoes of the Great War: American Experiences of World War I

Echoes of the Great War: American Experiences of World War I

Eve of the Offensive

Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton's diary, September 24–25, 1918. George S. Patton Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (141.00.00)
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Eve of the Offensive

During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton had one of his earliest opportunities to command tanks in battle. Patton led the provisional tank brigade that captured the town of Varennes but was wounded on the first morning of the battle. In his diary, Patton recorded inspections of his tanks the day before the battle and noted the coming fight. He jotted a terse note: "Will start soon."